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In today's edition of District News:
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Good afternoon Roseville Area Schools community,
I’d like to take this opportunity to again thank our school board, our staff, students, families and the broader community for the trust you’ve placed in me as the new superintendent of Roseville Area Schools. This leadership role is a privilege and I take the opportunity and obligation seriously. We are working to Return to Better this fall in each of our schools. I am endlessly impressed by the dedicated employees who are going above and beyond to prepare to welcome students to a new year that will see us through this long pandemic.
I’d also like to thank our community for voting to pass our school bond referendum in 2017. These monies allowed for us to improve our existing facilities, and those improvements were felt at all sites across the district. Your commitment to the quality of teaching and learning in our schools is so appreciated.
This past June, the school board voted to bring an operating levy referendum to our community this coming November election. I’d like to remind our public that these two referenda serve different purposes: levies are for learning, and bonds are for building. Roseville Area Schools has not sought an increase in our voter-approved operating levy in more than 15 years, and two decades of inadequate state and federal funding has challenged our ability to deliver high-quality educational programming for all students. I invite everyone to visit our 2021 Operating Referendum webpage to learn more about the operating referendum questions, and about our district’s financial outlook.
I am excited to highlight the work of all school staff during the summer months. Planning, child care, construction, and many more educational efforts are moving forward. I’m grateful to our dedicated staff who work around the clock and around the calendar on behalf of our students and families. In just a few weeks our buildings will be bustling with staff preparing for the new year, with a continued focus on our equity vision and professional development provided through our Office of Educational Equity.
It’s important for our families to know that we are working closely with state and local public health officials and we are aware of current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Minnesota Department of Health, and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. We will update our fall school safety plans for health and safety measures following the August 17 school board meeting.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone in the community who have been generously supportive and welcoming as I begin my new leadership role. I’m looking forward to being ever-present throughout the community as we Return to Better this fall.
Superintendent Jenny Loeck
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Students Ages 12 and Up Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
We strongly encourage all students ages 12 and up to get the Pfizer vaccine as soon as possible. Getting students vaccinated will help protect those who are not yet able to be vaccinated, like younger siblings. Minnesota's Vaccine Connector will help you find a location to access a vaccine, and answer questions you may have about the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Decision Soon on Health and Safety Measures in Schools This Fall
With the emergence of the Delta variant as the dominant strain of COVID-19 in our state and across the country, we have received many questions about our plans for health and safety precautions at the start of the 2021 - 2022 school year. Staff will make a recommendation to our school board at their August 17 meeting, and we will share the outcome with families and staff as soon as a decision is made by the board.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Roseville Area Schools has considered the health and safety of our students, staff and families to be our most important obligation. We have worked closely with county and state public health officials to ensure that our health and safety procedures are in line with guidelines set forth by trusted scientists and public health professionals. We will continue to work closely with those public health officials as we prepare for the 2021 - 2022 school year, and we are reviewing the latest guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on this topic.
Please continue to watch for messages from your student’s school or the district as we determine what health and safety measures will be in place this fall.
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Vote on School Funding Requests This Fall
Residents will decide whether to increase local funding
for our schools on November 2. On the ballot will be two questions: Question 1 requests a renewal of the existing operating levy. Question 2 requests an increase in the operating levy. If both questions are approved, funds would help:
- Expand career pathways to better prepare
students for careers after graduation
- Invest in student mental health and social-emotional needs
- Maintain academic programs
- Lower class sizes
- Provide financial stability for the schools and the district
If voters do not approve both questions, there will be significant financial repercussions including cuts to programs, staff and student supports.
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Meals will be Free of Charge all Next School Year
We are pleased to be able to offer meals at no cost to families for the entire 2021 – 2022 school year! Even though meals are free through June 2022, all families are encouraged to complete an Application for Educational Benefits, often referred to as the free and reduced-price meal form. You can complete the application online at frapp.isd623.org, or you may request a paper copy. Online applications are available in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong. You can fill out a new form any time your family’s income changes.
This form not only determines benefits for students and families such as no-cost meals at school, but also provides free bus cards, discounted internet service, discounted/no-cost early childhood classes and scholarships for summer camps ad childcare centers, discounted field trips, standardized test fee waivers, and sports team scholarships and fee waivers.
It also impacts your school’s funding and the district’s budget including state and federal dollars that may be used for administration, social workers, family liaisons, and more! The results of these applications are crucial to funding for things like Title 1, compensatory revenue, and summer and non-school day meals.
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| Views From Around the District
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Students in Summer Discovery Program Working with COMPAS Teaching Artists
Students involved in Summer Discovery programming have been working with COMPAS teaching artists this summer, creating unique learning opportunities. In fact, each student visits with three teaching artists each week, engaged in spoken word, dance, painting, visual arts, metal sculptures and hip hop/rap music creation. The innovative program allows classroom teachers to provide a well-rounded summer experience and continues to diversify the educators in front of our students.
COMPAS is a non-profit education organization that teaches through art. Through programs such as this, students, teens, older adults and other community members of all backgrounds and abilities come together to build confidence and creativity.
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Students are all Smiles at Summer Friendship Connection!
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